Graduate
The department has active research programs in the areas of Dynamic Systems & Control (DSC), ThermoFluids Science (TFS), and Materials Processing & Manufacturing (MPM).
Degrees
The MSME and PhD degrees in Mechanical Engineering are offered through the conventional on-campus program (MA) as well as via distance (DL). Applicants and current students are encouraged to refer to the UA Graduate School for official information related to curriculum and admissions.
Extended Options
Distance Learning: MS in Mechanical Engineering (Online)
Distance Learning: PhD in Mechanical Engineering (Online)
Graduate Application Deadlines
| Domestic & International |
|---|
| No Deadlines for Graduate Admissions |
| International applicants should consider the time required to obtain travel documents from country of origin when applying. |
Graduate Admissions & Funding Opportunities
Applicants to the MSME program are expected to have completed a BS Degree in Mechanical Engineering (or related field) with a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants from other fields are welcome, though additional undergraduate coursework may be required prior to entry. Specific admission requirements to the program can be found on the Graduate School’s web site.
Applicants to the PhD program are expected to have completed an MS Degree in Mechanical Engineering (or related field) with a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants with only a BSME degree and a 3.3 GPA are also considered for direct admission to the program and may obtain an en route MSME when they satisfy the MSME non-thesis degree requirements. Applicants from other fields are welcome to apply for regular admission, though additional undergraduate coursework may be required prior to entry. Specific admission requirements to the program can be found on the Graduate School’s web site.
University of Alabama ME undergraduate students with strong qualifications may enter these graduate degree programs early through UA’s Accelerated Master’s Program. These students may also double-count up to 9 hours of graduate credit for the BSME elective courses. Please refer to the AMP website for additional information.
While applications are processed on a rolling basis, international applicants are encouraged to apply early so that the required travel paperwork can be obtained from the country of origin. This paperwork must be obtained in order to travel to campus prior to classes starting. The process for obtaining this travel paperwork can often take two to six months to complete, depending on the country of origin. Applicants seeking consideration for funding should also apply early.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Funding and financial assistance is available to qualified applicants. This support is generally in the form of an assistantship or fellowship. Those interested in pursuing funding are encouraged to visit the degree specific pages (MSME or PhD) for additional information on funding opportunities as well as the process for securing funding, which is a process that is separate from admissions. Applicants are advised to contact faculty with matching research interests for inquiries about financial assistance. Applicants contacting the graduate program director or department head to inquire about funding will be referred to the appropriate page linked above.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For additional information about Mechanical Engineering graduate programs, please contact Dr. Kalyan Srinivasan, the departmental graduate program director.
About Us
Over 1,500 undergraduates and over 160 graduate students were enrolled in Mechanical Engineering at The University of Alabama in the Fall 2021 term. Currently, there are 31 Mechanical Engineering faculty members. Faculty teach graduate-level courses and conduct research in thrust areas that include, but are not limited to: automotive systems, robotics and human systems, automation and mechatronic systems, energy and building efficiency, internal combustion engines, manufacturing systems, additive manufacturing, and materials processing and modeling.
ME Faculty/Staff
Find contact and research information for all faculty and staff of the ME Department.
Laboratories
UA’s Department of Mechanical Engineering conducts research projects worth several million dollars annually.
Research Areas
UA’s Department of Mechanical Engineering Faculty is grouped into three interconnected but distinct disciplinary groups; Dynamic Systems & Control (DSC), Materials Processing & Manufacturing (MPM), and ThermoFluids Science (TFS).
Seminar Series
The Mechanical Engineering Seminar Series is an important component of our graduate program. This seminar provides a means for graduate students to present their research in a student-centered environment. Furthermore, outside speakers are recruited for this series in order to expose students and faculty to research being conducted at other organizations. Information on the seminars for the current semester can be found below.
Speaker Invitation for SPRING 2025 ME Seminar Series
| Dates | Speaker | Location | Seminar Title | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, January 15, 2025 | Dr. Frank Pfefferkorn | NL 1014 | Using Dimensionless Numbers and Low-Order Temperature Model to Map the Friction Surfacing Process Window | Prof and Assoc. Chair for Grad. Studies, University of Wisconsin, Madison |
| Thursday, January 30, 2025 | Dr. Igor Bargatin | Houser 1002 | Applications of Ultrathin Plates and Films to Aerospace Propulsion | Associate Professor at University of Pennsylvania |
| Wednesday, 2/5/2025, 2-3pm | Dr. Kelly Senecal | HM Comer 1026 | Engineering a Multifaceted Future for Mobility | Owner and Vice President, Convergent Science |
| Friday, 2/21/2025, 2-3pm | Dr. Antionette Maniatty | NL 1015 | Computational Crystal Plasticity for the Design of Materials and Processes | Professor and Department Head of Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute |
| Friday, 2/28/2025, 2-3pm | Dr. Kivanc Ekici | NL 1013 | A Novel Approach for Aeroelastic Modeling Using an Efficient One-shot Method | John W. Fisher Professor and Department Head of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Biomedical Engineering at University of Tennessee Knoxville |
| Wednesday, March 5, 2025 | Dr. Donald Siegel | NL 1014 | Computational discovery of materials for energy storage | Professor and Chair of Mechanical Engineering at University of Texas at Austin |
| Wednesday, March 26, 2025 | Dr. Paul Ronney | NL 1013 | Releasing insights from data: quarrying vs. sculpting | Professor and Department Chair of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering at University of Southern California |
| Wednesday, April 9, 2025 | Dr. Victor Zavala | NL 1014 | From Molecules to Infrastructures: Transforming Data to Decisions using Geometry, Optimization, and Machine Learning | Baldovin-DaPra Professor, Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison |